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PPRC Fortifies Ahead of 2028 Elections: Emphasizing Proactive Measures and Redress

PPRC Fortifies Ahead of 2028 Elections: Emphasizing Proactive Measures and Redress

As Sierra Leone looks towards the 2028 general elections, the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) is strategically reinforcing its preventive and redress mechanisms. 


Lucien Momoh, Director of Training and External Relations at the PPRC, emphasized on AYV on Sunday that the Commission is dedicated to maintaining political decorum, primarily guided by the revised Political Parties Act of 2022. 




This Act incorporates a vital code of conduct for political entities, with the pre-existing code now explicitly enshrined and solidified in Part Eight of tripartite recommendation, prohibiting certain behaviors by political parties, thus signifying a stronger regulatory framework.


A notable shift in the 2022 Act, according to Momoh, is the departure from the "extreme" penalty of deregistration that characterized the 2002 legal remedies. The new legislation introduces a tiered process for addressing political party misconduct. 




This escalating approach begins with a warning, followed by an official notification, then suspension, before resorting to the ultimate measure of deregistration. This structured system aims to provide opportunities for correction before imposing the most severe sanctions.


Recalling the 2023 elections, Momoh revealed instances where the PPRC issued warnings and fines to both the All People's Congress (APC) and the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) for prohibited conduct. 




While the APC challenged their fine in court, leading to the court's decision to drop the findings, the PPRC has since refined its approach. Now, any alleged misconduct triggers an initial engagement with the political party, with legal action reserved for continued non-compliance.


Furthermore, a key outcome of the tripartite committee recommendations is the push for campaign financing regulations, which are currently being drafted for parliamentary approval. 




The PPRC is also awaiting a system review report from the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), having already held an initial meeting with them. These initiatives are designed to foster greater accountability and self-regulation among political parties.


Momoj also shed light on the internal dynamics within political parties, noting that internal disputes can often be more intense than inter-party conflicts. In response, following the 2023 elections, the PPRC developed a dispute resolution guide in consultation with registered political parties. 




This guide aims to steer the conduct of political parties, with the PPRC hoping to see the establishment of recommended committees within these parties to facilitate internal dispute resolution.


The Director affirmed the PPRC's strong oversight of political parties. He cited the Commission's active involvement in the SLPP's recent lower-level elections, from the initial stages through to the National Delegates Conference. 



The PPRC intervenes with recommendations when parties face challenges in managing internal situations. Similarly, during the APC's constitutional rectification process, the PPRC was called upon by both the party and the courts to ensure order and sanity within their electoral processes. 


This proactive engagement lays out the PPRC's role in guiding and, when necessary, intervening to ensure adherence to democratic principles.



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